From corporate to star: Niki Middleton’s journey to becoming a Canadian Indigenous icon

From corporate executive assistant to brand ambassador, fitness model, actress, and reality TV personality, Niki Middleton has made a name for herself in the public eye.

Middleton identifies as Canadian Indigenous Metis and is a driven and determined woman who has always had a strong work ethic.

Her desire to work began at age 12 when she started her first job as a babysitter.

Throughout the years, the Calgary woman has achieved many feats including being a fitness model, which was a journey of personal transformation.

Throughout her elementary and high school education, Middleton was bullied, which led her down a destructive path of smoking and other unhealthy habits.

“I thought, ‘Once I get into my older life, it’ll be great.’ But I went into the business world and then I was bullied in the corporate world and in the entertainment industry,” says Middleton.

“It doesn’t seem to matter where you go, people will try and bully you.”

Overcoming adversity

However, it was in 2009 that she realized she was in charge of her own life and that she had the power to make positive changes.

“I decided that you make your own decisions, and you make your own success,” says Middleton.

She decided to take control of her health and began working out regularly. She found that exercise not only helped her physical health but also improved her mental well-being.

After spending many years working in the corporate world and then the insurance field, Middleton decided to switch focus.

Through hard work and dedication, Middleton transformed her body and became a fitness model, relying on her sales and marketing experience to build herself as a brand.

“I feel like if I had grown up popular and [had] everything handed to me, I might have taken a lot of things for granted that I don't take for granted now,” says Middleton.

Entering the pageant world

As an Indigenous woman, Middleton has faced discrimination throughout her life—which initially made her hesitant to pursue the pageant world.

“I entered one years ago and after experiencing racism, and confirming that due to [that] fact I would never place in the top, it pushed me further from wanting to pursue it,” says Middleton.

“Years later, a friend of mine from Ireland pushed me to be part of it and I decided to leave the past where it should be and give it a try.”

Middleton represented Canada in the 2021 and 2022 Miss Elegance of the World pageant.

“It was a wonderful and welcoming experience and I am glad that I tried it,” Middleton says.

Challenging beauty standards

On March 31 of this year, Paramount+ released a new breed of reality television that is meant to challenge the industry's current beauty standards.

The Fashion Hero: A New Kind of Beautiful took 22 people from around the world and flew them to South Africa to compete to become the face of an international brand campaign and win $50,000.

Middleton was one of the 22 contestants.

“From over 200,000 submissions, there were only three Canadians. The other two were from Quebec and Toronto,” says Middleton.

As the oldest female at age 47 and the only Indigenous Metis contestant, Middleton is proud to have been the representative of not only Alberta, but of many underrepresented groups.

“I believe age is just a number so I will continue to go onward and upward,” says Middleton.

What’s in store for 2023

Currently, Middleton is working on the third season as the Metis segment host of The History Wrangler on The Cowboy Channel.

“We reached 3.4 million viewers,” says Middleton.

The History Wrangler is hosted by Rob Lennard and explores Alberta’s rich history. Middleton brings a perspective highlighting the contributions and experiences of Indigenous people.

Middleton has been an actress and a brand ambassador for 16 years and a model for 15.

In August, she will receive the Woman Icon of the Year award in Aberdeen, Scotland, to recognize her years of hard work and dedication.

“Every day is a new adventure as soon as I wake up, so I cannot wait to see what the rest of 2023 has to offer and what is waiting for me in 2024,” says Middleton.